Intranatal Care

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Intranatal Care Intro - Setting the Stage

  • Intranatal Care (INC): Care from true labour onset to placental expulsion.
  • Labour (Parturition): Expulsion of foetus & placenta.
    • Eutocia: Normal. Dystocia: Abnormal.
  • Labour Onset Signs:
    • Progressive, painful uterine contractions.
    • Show (blood-mucus).
    • Cervical dilatation & effacement.
    • Bag of forewaters.
  • True Labour: Regular, progressive contractions; cervical changes; pain radiates; not relieved by sedatives.
  • False Labour: Irregular; no cervical change; pain localized; relieved by sedatives.

⭐ Progressive cervical effacement & dilatation signify true labour.

Labour's Journey - Stages & Events

  • Stage 1 (Cervical Dilation): True pains to full cervical dilation (10 cm). Effacement & dilation.
    • Latent: 0-4 cm (P: 6-8h, M: 4-6h).
    • Active: 4-10 cm (P: 1.2 cm/hr, M: 1.5 cm/hr).
  • Stage 2 (Fetal Expulsion): Full dilation to fetal expulsion. Cardinal movements.
    • Duration: P: 1-2h, M: 30m-1h (longer with epidural).

    ⭐ Crowning: Widest part of fetal head visible at introitus, no recession.

  • Stage 3 (Placental Expulsion): Fetal expulsion to placenta expulsion. Separation & expulsion.
    • Duration: 5-15 min (max 30 min).
    • Signs: 📌 CUG (Cord lengthens, Uterus globular, Gush of blood).
  • Stage 4 (Observation): 1-4h post-placenta.
    • Monitor: Uterine tone, vitals, PPH.

Cervical Effacement and Dilation During Labor

Partograph Power - Monitoring Labour

Simplified Partograph Example for Intranatal Care

  • Graphical tool for monitoring labour: FHR, cervical dilatation (X), descent (O), contractions, maternal vitals.
  • WHO Modified Partograph: Plotting begins at 4 cm cervical dilatation (active phase).
  • Alert Line: Crossed if cervical dilatation is < 1 cm/hr. Signals need for careful reassessment, possible conservative measures (e.g., hydration, amniotomy).
  • Action Line: Typically 4 hours to the right of Alert Line. Crossing indicates need for decisive action (e.g., oxytocin augmentation, Caesarean section).

⭐ The partograph is a key tool to prevent prolonged labour, a major cause of maternal/neonatal morbidity.

Safe Arrivals - Newborn & Maternal Care

  • Maternal Care (AMTSL - Active Management of Third Stage of Labour): Prevents PPH.
    • Oxytocin 10 IU IM (within 1 min of birth).
    • Controlled Cord Traction (CCT).
    • Uterine massage post-placental delivery.
  • Newborn Care:
    • APGAR Score: At 1 & 5 min. Assesses 5 vital signs. Score <7 distress, <4 severe.
    • Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP): See flowchart for initial steps. Golden minute for ventilation.

⭐ AMTSL reduces Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) incidence by ~60%.

APGAR Scoring Table for Newborn Assessment

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • AMTSL (oxytocin, CCT, uterine massage) is key to prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH).
  • Partograph monitors labor: alert line for observation, action line for intervention.
  • Essential Newborn Care (ENC): immediate drying/warming, early breastfeeding, Vitamin K, cord care.
  • Median episiotomy is preferred, performed at crowning to prevent severe tears.
  • Six Cleans (hands, surface, perineum, blade, cord tie/clamp, towel) ensure aseptic delivery.
  • Magnesium sulfate is the first-line drug for intrapartum eclampsia management.

Practice Questions: Intranatal Care

Test your understanding with these related questions

Active management of 3rd stage of labour involves all EXCEPT:

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Flashcards: Intranatal Care

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Proportion of women receiving antenatal care and supervised delivery is an example of _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Proportion of women receiving antenatal care and supervised delivery is an example of _____

utilization rate (Utilization rate/Health care delivery indicator)

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